Verification device and method for attaching identification labels

Abstract

When attaching identification labels to steel materials, there is a risk of errors occurring if workers attempt to visually confirm the identification labels to be attached to the steel materials. [Solution] The matching device displays steel material information and identifies the steel material information based on a photograph of an identification label attached to the steel material. Next, the matching device compares the identified steel material information with steel material information pre-stored in a database. If the identified steel material information does not match the steel material information stored in the database, a warning can be generated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a verification device for verifying whether an identification label attached to a steel material is appropriate, and a method for attaching an identification label to a steel material using this verification device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a steel material verification system that verifies steel materials according to loading command information based on the identification information attached to the steel materials when loading steel materials into a heating furnace. Specifically, a bundle end face image including the identification information attached to the end face of a steel material bundle is taken, and based on the identification information included in the bundle end face image and the number of steel materials in the steel material bundle, verification is performed with the loading command information for each steel material bundle to be conveyed to the heating furnace. By performing such verification, artificial errors caused by human intervention are prevented for the steel materials loaded into the heating furnace.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is premised that identification information is attached to the end face of a steel material bundle. On the other hand, when attaching an identification label to a steel material, it is necessary to confirm whether the identification label to be attached to the steel material is appropriate. Here, if an operator tries to confirm the identification label to be attached to the steel material by visual inspection or the like, there is a risk of artificial errors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The matching device according to the first invention of this application displays steel material information and identifies the steel material information based on a captured image of an identification label attached to the steel material. Next, the matching device compares the identified steel material information with steel material information stored in a database beforehand. If the identified steel material information does not match the steel material information stored in the database, warning information can be generated.

[0006] Steel material information can include character information and code information that represent different information about the steel material. In this case, the character information and code information can be matched separately. Steel material information can also include color information of the backing paper of the identification label, and the color information can also be matched.

[0007] The second invention of this application is a method for attaching identification labels to steel materials using the matching device of the first invention of this application. In this method, before attaching the identification labels to the steel materials, the matching device is used to verify the identification labels, and when the steel material information identified from the captured image matches the steel material information stored in the database, the attachment of the identification labels to the steel materials is started.

[0008] Furthermore, after attaching identification labels to multiple pieces of the same type of steel, the identification labels attached to these pieces of steel can be matched using a matching device. When the steel information identified from the captured image matches the steel information stored in the database, the process of attaching identification labels to other types of steel can begin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by comparing the steel material information identified from the captured image of the identification label with the steel material information stored in advance in the database, it is possible to prevent incorrect identification labels from being attached to steel materials. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of an identification label. [Figure 2]This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the matching system. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart explaining how to attach identification labels. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart that explains the details of the matching process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] This embodiment verifies whether the identification labels affixed to each of several types of steel materials are appropriate. The identification labels are affixed to the steel materials after various inspections have been completed. For example, when using long steel materials, the identification label can be affixed to one end face in the longitudinal direction of the steel material.

[0012] (Identification label) Figure 1 shows an example of an identification label 100. The identification label 100 is made of a circular colored cardboard base, and character information 110 and code information 120 are displayed on the surface of the identification label 100. By providing an adhesive layer on the back of the identification label 100, the back of the identification label 100 can be attached to a steel material.

[0013] In this embodiment, the identification label 100 is formed in a circular shape, but it is not limited to this, and any shape that can be attached to the steel material is acceptable. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide an adhesive layer on the back of the identification label 100, and the identification label 100 can be attached to the steel material using an adhesive or the like.

[0014] The color of the backing paper, the text information 110, and the code information 120 of the identification label 100 indicate information about the steel material (hereinafter referred to as "steel material information"), and different steel material information can be assigned to the backing paper color, text information 110, and code information 120. By using the backing paper color, text information 110, and code information 120, it is possible to manage the application of the identification label 100 to the steel material.

[0015] The color and character information 110 of the identification label 100 can be used, for example, to identify the steel material (steel type, steel number, size, etc.) to which the identification label 100 is attached. As the code information 120, for example, information (index information, etc.) assigned to each steel material can be used. The code information 120 includes one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes.

[0016] (Verification system) The configuration of the verification system will be described using FIG. 2. The verification system includes a photographing device 10 and a verification device 20.

[0017] The photographing device 10 photographs the surface of the identification label 100 and transmits the photographed image to the verification device 20. The photographing of the identification label 100 by the photographing device 10 can be performed automatically or manually by an operator.

[0018] The verification device 20 includes a database 21 and a verification unit 22. The database 21 stores various types of information for managing the attachment of the identification label 100 to the steel material. Specifically, the steel material information specified by the color of the identification label 100, the character information 110, and the code information 120 is stored in the database 21.

[0019] As described above, since different steel material information is assigned to the color of the identification label 100, the character information 110, and the code information 120, these steel material information are stored in the database 21 in a linked state. When attaching the identification label 100 to the steel material, the steel material information of the steel material to which the identification label 100 is to be attached can be stored in the database 21 in advance.

[0020] The matching unit 22 identifies the steel material information (specifically, character information, code information, and color information) included in the captured image received from the imaging device 10, and performs matching between the identified steel material information and the steel material information stored in the database 21. If the identified steel material information matches the steel material information stored in the database 21, the matching unit 22 determines that the identification label 100 captured by the imaging device 10 is appropriate and ends the matching process. On the other hand, if the identified steel material information does not match the steel material information stored in the database 21, a warning process is performed. Details of the warning process will be described later.

[0021] In this embodiment, the database 21 is provided in the matching device 20, but the database 21 can also be provided outside the matching device 20. In this case, the matching device 20 and the database 21 can be connected via wired or wireless means, or via the Internet. Further, the matching device 20 can be used as a server. In this case, the captured image acquired by the imaging device 10 can be transmitted to the server via the Internet or the like.

[0022] In this embodiment, the imaging device 10 and the matching device 20 are configured as separate bodies, but the imaging device 10 and the matching device 20 can also be integrally configured.

[0023] (Method of attaching identification label) A method of attaching the identification label 100 to a plurality of steel materials of the same type will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. The process shown in FIG. 3 is performed for each type of steel material. <​In step S101, an identification label 100 for the sample is prepared, and the surface of this identification label 100 is photographed by the imaging device 10. The identification label 100 for the sample is not actually attached to the steel material, but is used for the matching process (S102) described later. The identification label 100 for the sample can be discarded after the matching process. The image acquired by the imaging device 10 is transmitted to the matching device 20. Note that the object of imaging by the imaging device 10 is not limited to the identification label 100 for the sample, but may also be an identification label 100 that is actually attached to the steel material.

[0025] In step S102, the verification device 20 verifies whether the identification label to be affixed to the steel material is appropriate based on the captured image of the identification label (for sample) 100 obtained in step S101. The specific details of this verification process will be described later. If the verification process is completed successfully, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0026] In step S103, the worker manufactures an identification label 100 identical to the identification label (for sample) 100, and then affixes the identification label 100 to the steel material after various inspections have been completed. For example, when using a long piece of steel material, the identification label 100 can be affixed to one end face in the longitudinal direction of the steel material. In manufacturing the identification label 100, predetermined character information 110 and code information 120 can be printed on a predetermined colored cardboard. If, in step S101, the identification label 100 that will actually be affixed to the steel material is photographed, this photographed identification label 100 can be affixed to the steel material.

[0027] In step S104, the worker checks whether the identification labels 100 have been attached to all of the pre-prepared number of steel materials. If the identification labels 100 have not been attached, the worker returns to step S103; if the identification labels 100 have been attached, the worker proceeds to step S105. When returning to step S103, it is possible to perform only the attachment of the identification labels 100 in step S103 without manufacturing any new identification labels 100. In other words, if at least the total number of identification labels 100 for the steel materials are manufactured in advance, it is possible to perform only the attachment of the identification labels 100 in step S103.

[0028] In step S105, the surface of the identification label 100 to be attached to the steel material is photographed by the imaging device 10. This identification label 100 is the same as the identification label 100 used in the processing of step S103. The image acquired by the imaging device 10 is transmitted to the matching device 20.

[0029] In step S106, the verification device 20 verifies whether the identification label 100 to be affixed to the steel material is appropriate based on the image of the identification label 100 obtained in step S105. The specific details of this verification process will be described later. If the verification process is completed successfully, it is determined that the affixing of the identification label 100 to the steel material has been completed successfully. Then, it becomes possible to affix the identification label 100 to other types of steel materials, and the process shown in Figure 3 is performed in this affixing as well.

[0030] In this embodiment, steps S105 and S106 are performed when the identification labels 100 have been attached to all steel materials (Yes in step S104), but this is not the only option. For example, steps S105 and S106 can be performed each time an identification label 100 is to be attached to a single steel material. That is, each time an identification label 100 is to be attached to a single steel material, it is checked whether the identification label 100 to be attached is appropriate, and when it is confirmed that the identification label 100 is appropriate, the identification label 100 can be attached to the steel material.

[0031] (Verification process) The details of the matching process in steps S102 and S106 shown in Figure 3 above will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 4. The process shown in Figure 4 is performed by the matching device 20.

[0032] In step S201, the matching device 20 acquires the captured image (image of the identification label 100) transmitted from the imaging device 10. In step S202, the matching unit 22 performs color reading processing on the captured image acquired in step S201. Specifically, the matching unit 22 identifies the color of the backing paper of the identification label 100.

[0033] In step S203, the matching unit 22 compares the color of the identification label 100 identified in step S202 with the steel material information (specifically, the color of the identification label 100) stored in the database 21. If the two colors match (OK), the color matching is terminated and the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the two colors do not match (NG), the process proceeds to step S208 (warning process).

[0034] In step S204, the matching unit 22 performs character reading processing on the captured image acquired in step S201. Specifically, the matching unit 22 reads the character information 110 displayed on the identification label 100. Here, the character information 110 is included as image information in the captured image, but the character information 110 can be identified by performing known information processing to convert the image information into character information.

[0035] In step S205, the matching unit 22 compares the character information 110 identified in step S204 with the steel material information (specifically, the character information 110) pre-stored in the database 21. If the two sets of character information 110 match (OK), the character matching is terminated and the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the two sets of character information 110 do not match (NG), the process proceeds to step S208 (warning processing).

[0036] In step S206, the matching unit 22 performs a code reading process on the captured image acquired in step S201. Specifically, the matching unit 22 reads the code information 120 displayed on the identification label 100.

[0037] In step S207, the matching unit 22 compares the code information 120 read in step S206 with the code information 120 previously stored in the database 21. If the two code information 120s match (OK), the code matching is terminated and the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the two code information 120s do not match (NG), the process proceeds to step S208 (warning processing).

[0038] In step S208, the matching unit 22 determines that the identification label 100 is not appropriate and performs a warning process. This warning process generates information (hereinafter referred to as warning information) indicating that the identification label 100 to be attached to the steel material is not appropriate.

[0039] In step S209, the matching unit 22 outputs the matching result. If all of the color matching (step S203), character matching (step S205), and code matching (step S207) are completed successfully, the unit can output normal information as the matching result, indicating that the matching process has been completed successfully. On the other hand, if any of the color matching (step S203), character matching (step S205), and code matching (step S207) are not completed successfully, in other words, if a warning process (step S208) is performed, the above-mentioned warning information is output.

[0040] As a means of outputting the verification results (the normal information or warning information mentioned above), the verification results can be displayed on a display unit or a sound can be generated corresponding to the verification results. This allows the worker to recognize whether the identification label 100 being attached to the steel material is appropriate or not. Furthermore, the output verification results can include the results of each verification process (color verification, character verification, code verification).

[0041] If the verification process in step S102 shown in Figure 3 is completed successfully and the identification label 100 is determined to be valid, then in the process of step S103 shown in Figure 3, the manufacturing of the identification label 100 and the application of the identification label 100 to the specified steel material can be carried out. In other words, the output of information indicating that the verification process has been completed successfully (verification result) triggers the start of the manufacturing of the identification label 100 and the application of the identification label 100 to the specified steel material.

[0042] In the matching process of step S102 shown in Figure 3, if the above-described warning process occurs, the worker can recognize that the identification label 100 to be attached to the steel material is incorrect. In this case, the process of step S101 will be performed on the other identification labels 100.

[0043] If the verification process in step S106 shown in Figure 3 is completed successfully and the identification label 100 is determined to be appropriate, it is determined that the application of the identification label 100 to the specified steel material has been completed, as described above. Then, it becomes possible to apply the identification label 100 to other types of steel materials.

[0044] In the verification process of step S106 shown in Figure 3, if the above-described warning process is performed, the worker can recognize that the identification label 100 attached to the steel material is incorrect. In this case, the identification label 100 attached to the steel material can be inspected.

[0045] In this embodiment, the matching process is performed in the order of color matching (step S203), character matching (step S205), and code matching (step S207). However, it is not necessary to perform the matching process in this order, and the order in which these matching processes are performed can be determined as appropriate. Also, although color matching (step S203) is performed in this embodiment, color matching (step S203) can be omitted. In other words, it is not necessary to use information regarding the color of the backing paper of the identification label 100 when matching the identification label 100. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 100: Identification label, 110: Text information, 120: Code information, 10: Imaging device, 20: Verification device, 21: Database, 22: Verification unit

Claims

1. Steel material information is displayed, and based on the image of the identification label attached to the steel material, the steel material information is identified. A matching device characterized by comparing the identified steel material information with the steel material information pre-stored in a database.

2. The matching device according to claim 1, characterized in that it generates warning information when the identified steel material information does not match the steel material information stored in the database.

3. The steel material information includes character information and code information that indicate different information about the steel material, The matching device according to claim 1, characterized in that it performs a comparison with each of the aforementioned character information and the aforementioned code information.

4. The steel material information includes the color information of the backing paper of the identification label, The matching device according to claim 3, characterized in that it performs a matching of the aforementioned color information.

5. A method for attaching the identification label to a steel material using the matching device described in claim 1, Before attaching the identification label to the steel material, the identification label is verified using the verification device. A method for attaching identification labels, characterized in that when the steel material information identified from the captured image matches the steel material information stored in the database, the method for attaching the identification label to the steel material begins.

6. After attaching the identification labels to multiple steel materials of the same type, the identification labels attached to these steel materials are verified using the verification device. The method for attaching identification labels according to claim 5, characterized in that when the steel material information identified from the captured image matches the steel material information stored in the database, the method for attaching identification labels to other types of steel materials is initiated.

Images